In the late 19th century, two brilliant paleontologists—Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh—engaged in one of the most bitter scientific feuds in history. Their rivalry, known as the Bone Wars, lasted over two decades and transformed American paleontology from obscurity to prominence, discovering dozens of dinosaur species along the way.
The Beginning
Cope and Marsh started as colleagues and friends. Both were independently wealthy and shared a passion for fossil hunting. Their initial relationship was cordial, with each respecting the other’s work.
The friendship soured in 1870 when Marsh publicly humiliated Cope by pointing out that Cope had incorrectly reconstructed Elasmosaurus, placing the skull on the tail end instead of the neck. The incident infuriated Cope, who tried to buy all copies of the publication containing the error.
This public embarrassment transformed professional disagreement into personal vendetta.
The War Begins
The American West was experiencing a fossil gold rush. The Morrison Formation and other rich fossil beds were yielding spectacular dinosaur remains. Both Cope and Marsh rushed to claim discoveries before the other.
They deployed teams of fossil hunters across Wyoming, Colorado, and other Western states. Competition turned cutthroat: teams spied on each other, bribed informants, and occasionally destroyed fossils to prevent the other side from getting them.
Both scientists used their considerable wealth to fund expeditions. They published discoveries rapidly, sometimes with minimal description, just to claim priority. Quality suffered as they rushed to outpace each other.
Tactics and Sabotage
The Bone Wars involved increasingly unethical tactics:
- Bribing workers to provide information about rival digs
- Throwing rocks at competing fossil hunters
- Stealing fossils from each other’s sites
- Dynamiting dig sites after excavation to prevent further discoveries by rivals
- Publishing hasty papers full of errors just to claim priority
Both men founded competing museums and scientific journals. They cultivated relationships with powerful politicians and business leaders. The feud became as much about social power and prestige as scientific discovery.
Scientific Achievements
Despite the animosity, the Bone Wars yielded remarkable scientific achievements. Between them, Cope and Marsh discovered approximately 142 new dinosaur species (though many were later found to be duplicates or incorrectly classified).
Notable discoveries include:
From Marsh’s team:
- Allosaurus
- Stegosaurus
- Triceratops
- Apatosaurus (formerly Brontosaurus)
- Diplodocus
From Cope’s team:
- Camarasaurus
- Coelophysis
- Dimetrodon
Their fierce competition accelerated the pace of paleontological discovery. American museums filled with spectacular fossil displays, capturing public imagination and establishing paleontology as a prestigious science.
The Cost
The Bone Wars cost both men dearly. Their rivalry consumed their fortunes. Cope spent his wealth on expeditions and publications, dying nearly broke in 1897. Marsh outlived his rival by two years, passing away in 1899, also financially diminished.
Their scientific reputations suffered too. The rushed publications contained numerous errors. Many species they described were based on fragmentary evidence. Later paleontologists spent decades correcting their mistakes.
The personal cost was profound. Both men died bitter, consumed by a rivalry that had defined their careers. Their feud estranged them from colleagues and consumed energy that could have been directed toward scientific advancement.
Legacy
The Bone Wars represent both the best and worst of scientific competition. On one hand, the rivalry drove rapid discovery and public interest in paleontology. On the other, it demonstrated how personal animosity can corrupt scientific integrity.
Modern paleontology learned from their mistakes. Collaboration replaced cutthroat competition. Careful description superseded rushed publication. Ethical standards improved.
Yet the Bone Wars remain a fascinating chapter in scientific history—a reminder that scientists are human, subject to jealousy, pride, and vendetta. The feud between Cope and Marsh shows that even brilliant minds can be consumed by pettiness.
Today, museums worldwide display the fruits of their discoveries. Visitors marvel at Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and Allosaurus—gifts to science from a rivalry that, despite its ugliness, opened windows into Earth’s deep past. The Bone Wars taught us what dinosaurs looked like, even as they showed us the dinosaurs that humans can become when rivalry replaces reason.